T20 World Cup: Why Gautam Gambhir dedicated India’s win to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman

Kolkata, June 30 — Moments after India wrapped up a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final at a raucous Narendra Modi Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir steered the spotlight away from his own dressing room and toward two men who never took the field in this campaign: Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

“I would dedicate this trophy to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman,” Gambhir told reporters, his voice steady above the din of fireworks outside. “To Rahul bhai for putting the Indian team in a place and Laxman for creating the pipeline at CoE.”

The acknowledgement was more than ceremonial. Dravid, who guided India to the 2024 title before stepping aside, laid the structural bedrock on which the current squad was built, Gambhir explained. Laxman, now head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, has overseen a talent conduit that has funnelled young players into the national set-up with increasing precision.

India’s triumph on home soil made history on multiple fronts. The 255 for five posted batting first is the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, and the subsequent dismissal of New Zealand for 159 delivered a winning margin that eclipsed any previous final. The victory secures India’s third T20 world title, adding to the inaugural 2007 crown and the 2024 edition, and makes them the first side to successfully defend the trophy as well as the first to win it on home soil.

Gambhir, appointed coach in late 2024, endured a turbulent start, including home Test series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. He credited Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, and Jay Shah—now ICC chairman and formerly BCCI secretary—for steadying the ship when criticism peaked.

“Ajit took a lot of flak and worked with a lot of honesty,” Gambhir said. “And Jay bhai—during my lowest ebb after those losses—he called me. That support matters.”

Captain Suryakumar Yadav also drew lavish praise. “Surya made my job easier,” Gambhir noted. “He has been a leader who is a father figure. The bigger purpose is to celebrate trophies, not milestones. For too many years we have celebrated milestones. I will urge people to stop celebrating personal milestones.”

The coach’s appeal to shift focus from individual statistics to collective silverware resonated in a dressing room now wearing fresh winners’ medals. Whether that philosophy endures will be tested in future assignments, but for one June night in Ahmedabad, the emphasis was squarely on a team effort—and on the two former greats whose influence, Gambhir insists, made it all possible.